At the Viva Technology trade show in Paris on Wednesday, Orange Middle East and Africa (OMEA) and rising sun announced a strategic partnership to accelerate the growth of African startups in Europe, focusing on France’s Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (PACA) region.
This collaboration aims to create a bridge between innovation ecosystems in Africa, the Middle East, and southern France, offering African startups a gateway to scale internationally.
Strengthening African startup presence in Southern France
A three-year partnership will support startups from Orange Digital Centers (ODC) in 17 African and Middle Eastern countries, helping them establish in the South of France, which boasts 500,000 companies and a vibrant innovation scene.
This support includes project development assistance, access to funding, and connections to local economic partners, enabling startups to navigate the European market more effectively.
Jérôme Hénique, CEO of Orange Middle East and Africa, emphasised the importance of this initiative, stating, “This partnership with risingSUD marks a key step in our ambition to promote African innovation internationally. By facilitating their establishment and acceleration in France, particularly in the South region, we are giving young African companies the means to accelerate their growth”.
Leveraging southern France as a strategic hub
Bernard Kleynhoff, President of risingSUD, highlighted the region’s strategic position as a natural bridge between Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
He noted, “The South of France is now the leading French region for hosting African investment projects. This partnership opens up new economic opportunities and constitutes a real springboard for the development of businesses on both sides of the Mediterranean”.
In 2024, risingSUD helped 14 African companies establish themselves in the South of France, including Guépard, a startup from the Orange Digital Center in Tunisia that opened an office in Marseille.
This partnership will expand such successes, facilitating access to talent and enabling regional startups to connect with the Orange Digital Centers network.
Combining Orange’s extensive digital ecosystem with risingSUD’s regional expertise, the partnership aims to foster a dynamic environment where African startups can thrive and contribute to innovation across continents.